Blaschka Glass Model of a Starfish Larva

3D Model

Micro CT scan of a Blaschka model of starfish development from the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum at the Unviversity of Dundee.

D’Arcy Thompson acquired a set of Blaschka’s exquistely delicate glass models in 1888. In Growth and Form, D’Arcy refers repeatedly to the art of the glass-blower, perhaps thinking of these very models.

DUNUC 2875. Starfish (asteria rubens) development. Width=6cm.

Scanned with a Nikon XT H 225ST micro CT scanner. The resulting file is exported as an stl. and imported in to Zbrush. Texture is added from photographs using the Spotlight function and Polypainting.

We’d love to hear from you if you download or print our models, especially if you use them in education and outreach.